Hip-Hop World

The self-proclaimed “Man of The Year” dropped his debut album “Oxymoron” on February 25, 2014. In music and especially in hip-hop, the music seems to become more microwave oriented as in the music gets forgotten almost as quick as you can download it. Music doesn’t seem to age as well as it did in the 90’s. The trendiness of hip-hop makes the art more disposable, but Groovy Q proves everything tastes better slow cooked.

(Courtesy of Hypetrak.com)

The TDE rapper said his debut album took around 2 years to complete, but the real hip-hop heads didn’t seem to mind. The album beginning of the newest form of Gangsta Rap. It’s sonically different while still being extremely brash, harsh, in-your-face and lyrically descriptive. Q touches on all the subjects from drug-induced family drama, falling drug-induced comas, flashing his gang and neighborhood affiliation and committing sins to support his daughter. It perfectly embodies and reflects the title “Oxymoron”, a poetic authorized audio biography of Quincy Matthew Hanley.

All the songs on the album share a dark rugged common thread of hard-knocking beats, loud and catchy adlibs and taboo lyrics that leave Q vulnerable without lookin’ soft because he’ll send “Strays through your living room / Liable to drive-by on a summer day / July 4th will be in June”

Prodigy and Havoc put in new work in celebration of their debut classic, “The Infamous”. Mobb Deep have been one of the flagship NY groups that have been representing the gritty, grimy, dark, street, icepick-shank music that was the sound of the 90s. Last Week, the infamous duo dropped their first album in about 7 years, appropriately titled “The Infamous Mobb Deep”. Not only does it include new music, but there’s a 2nd disc that contains over 10 songs of unreleased material from “The Infamous”.

As a hip-hop fiend, I was excited to get my hands on it. I would have been surprised to hear that there was still 2-3 songs that were left from back then, let alone full 14 unheard gems. It is crazy to hear that they got ahold of the official reels 2 decades later. I was greatly impressed with the quality of Mobb’s bonus disc, the songs still maintained a high-quality level while keeping the staticy, cracklin’, low-fi sound that reminds me of the hip-hop gold era esthetic.

I’m excited to listen to the rest of “The Infamous Mobb Deep” in its entirety. One of the most exciting things about your favorite throwback groups doing music is not only are they a reminder of your childhood, but they stay relevant and grow as you do. It makes a great soundtrack to your everyday life, and that’s the best role music can play in your life.

With the continuing rise of west coast hip-hop, it seems the unity to bring Cali back can only last so long before the sense of competition sets in. Young “Bompton” rapper, YG, recently was on DJ Funk Flex‘s show and spit a freestyle and he rapped some lines that raised questions. YG accused rappers of biting his style.

He spit “I’m talking to two f^ks by the way / “Arrauugh!..Like whaat! By the way”

“Arrauugh” is a popular adlib and catchphrase by Young Money and Last King’s own Tyga. And “Like Whaaat!” is a popular song by LA rapper, Problem.

All three MC’s are from Compton, California and are almost from the same rapper generation. As a west coast rap fan, it is interesting to see if the claims are true. YG has fired shots through twitter calling Tyga’s promo for YG’s first album “fake”, which hasn’t been further explained.

YG in his interviews let it be known that he isn’t feeling Problem by simple not speaking about him when asked. When DJ Self brings up Problem, YG simple responds with “Who?”

I’ve always wondered whenever YG is asked who are the other west coast rappers bubblin’ in Cali, he never mentions Tyga or Problem when they are also clearly making noise. Ever since I heard this freestyle it all makes sense, YG is more than likely subliminally saying these are two of the rappers who are biting his style.

Two other MC’s who I noticed YG never mentions in interviews is Sage The Gemini and Iamsu!, but that could be another story. Do you feel like rappers like Problem and Tyga are stealing YG’s sound? Let me know what you think!!

Compton or Bompton’s own young spitter, YG will be releasing his debut album “My Krazy Life” tomorrow! If you are like me and couldn’t help it, you already listened to the whole album as soon as it leaked. YG surpassed all my expectations and came with a classic khakis-suit and chuck taylor west coast banger.

(Courtesy of wikipedia.org)

When YG said “I’m bout to bring the coast back” I should have taken him more seriously. With the help of DJ Mustard, the 24-year old rapper is gonna make the whole world throw their W’s up.

Jeezy said it best, YG is bringing a new age west coast “Chronic” sound. “My Krazy Life” sounds like 1992 gangsta rap but with a millennium touch. Where as 90’s west coast rap was focused more on being the hardest stone cold killa, YG carries that tradition but turns the party up just as much as the heat. I haven’t heard a rapper perfectly mix the gangsta rap while being a party MC since Snoop Dogg.

(Courtesy of XXLmag.com)

YG 400 represents what I would imagine an early kid in his 20’s who grew up gang bangin’ in Los Angeles would be about: coolin’ with the homies, gettin’ at the females, partying at the function, drinking, smoking and representing your neighborhood.

His debut album is the realistic soundtrack to a carefree teenager coming from one of the worst neighborhoods in the country.

Songs like “Who Do You Love?” featuring Drake and “Left, Right” with DJ Mustard are perfect examples of Cali club bounce music; “Meet the Flockers” depicts YG and his homie Tee Cee executing a home invasion; “BPT” and “Bicken Back Being Bool” reflect on YG’s gang bangin’ past and “Sorry Momma” featuring Ty Dolla $ign on the hook is the guaranteed tear jerking album closer.

After listening to this album I feel like I just spent the whole day in Bompton with YG.

Definitely coppin’ this tomorrow!

- Norman Galang

#RapNerdsUniteFollow me on Twitter @normgalang and on IG @normangalang

I’m back! Sorry for the sudden leave of absence! I’m contemplating on restructuring my blog with more original content while bringing up different topics and incorporating more of my humble opinion.

For those who are new to my page, my name is Norman Galang. I’m a 21-year old University of Florida student in the College of Journalism. I’m an aspiring hip-hop journalist and producer. And the hip-hop culture is one the things I love and the most passionate about. I always loved the idea of channeling your passion and interests to others and blogging is one of the best ways to do that.

Although hip-hop is one of, if not the most popular genre in the mainstream, I believe that it is still overlooked as one of the best art forms in the world. One of my personal goals is to convey that message.

For my usual readers, I will continue to break down and discuss new artists, songs, trends and events in the rap world.

The Breakfast Club. A couple things come to hip-hop heads’ mind when the name gets mentioned, and none of them have to do with Molly Ringwald. Funny, real, mean, nice, informative, conversational are some of the words that race through my mind when I think about that station.

Power 105.1 and The Breakfast Club is everyone’s most loved and hated hip-hop morning show, not only because of the great mixes done by DJ Envy, not only because of the beautiful Angela Yee, but the interview style and honest questions and comments they make. A lot of it is attributed to 1/3rd of the collective, Charlamagne Tha God, who is brutally honest but very valid with his comments. Sometimes they’re so upfront that they get misconstrued as slander. Which I don’t believe it is, I think the media is just so used to coat riding, most interviewers will dodge any question that may be heard as controversial. Even though most of those “hesitant” questions are the ones that 90% of the audience is wondering anyways. I certainly believe that it is not what you say, it is how you say it. As long as you are respectful in the manner which you are asking questions, entertainers or anybody for that matter should respect it. Plus, they don’t have to answer anything if the interviewee does not like to, they can just say pass or next question.

Anyways, back on the subject! Yeezus himself has decided to do a 42 minute and 20 second interview with The Breakfast Club. That’s 42 minutes and 20 seconds longer than I expected! I would have never in a million years thought ‘Ye would be up on there and allow himself to become a target of the quick line of questioning. But, Kanye really proved himself that he really in his own lane, he is comfortable with what he stands for and is ready to justify any thing he says or does! Which from the outside looking in is A LOT considering that he is scrutinized every time he moves a muscle. (No pun intended with the photo)

(Courtesy of cdn.idolator.com)

In the interview, one of the things Mr. West talks about is doing a new venture with Adidas and speaks on his past deal with Nike and how he received no royalties for the Air Yeezys. Kanye said that Nike couldn’t give him shoe royalties because he isn’t a professional athlete. I’m very surprised that there are still categorical barriers between the celebrities or entertainers that Nike does business with. Just like how consumers look up to athletes as far as what they’re wearing, they do the same for rappers! The sneaker game is no longer a basketball thing, just like how it is no longer a rap thing. It is a fashion thing! There are probably just as many people who are concerned about dressing nice and fly, as people who watch basketball and listen to rap! Kids rock what their favorite athletes are wearing and a lot of the time they are jackin’ what rappers wear. Hip-Hop contributed to the popularity of Air Jordans, there has to be at least one shoe song every two weeks that makes kid think they need to step up their sneaker game.

(Courtesy of highsnobiety.com & bossip.com)

I hope the Kanye West and Adidas collab works out and they come out with a dope product! And P.S., it better not be another 200 plus dollar pair of shoes again.

OVO and Young Money’s own Drake announced that he will release five new records before 2013 ends. With the year winding down and the best holidays coming up, I personally think it is the perfect time to release music. People will be inside more because of the cold and what’s better than chilling (no pun intended) and listening to the music we love? We also tend to talk to family more during this time and good music becomes the soundtrack to memorable times. Holidays are perfect time markers for the year.

(courtesy of Billboard.com)

Coincidentally, I believe Drake’s non-album leaked songs make for some of his best records. For example “Girls Love Beyonce” featuring James Fauntleroy, “5 a.m. in Toronto”, “Free Spirit” with Rick Ross and “Club Paradise”. All excellent songs that I believe can be better than some of the tracks on his official albums.

I really hope Drake finally releases the Wu-Tang Forever (Remix) with the Wu members on it, that’ll be sick. I am also excited to hear the club banger that him and Compton MC, YG recorded. Drizzy has some of the best verses over up-tempo clubby records, like on Migo’s “Versace (Remix)” or “The Motto” featuring Young Money boss-man Lil Wayne and Los Angeles spitter, Tyga.

I’m excited to see what he has for us and happy that he is still down to release free music once in a while. I admire that he isn’t one of those artists who would rather let his or her new solo work be heard only every couple years to promote a new album.

And I think it is safe to say that Drake hasn’t released a terrible song, yet. Keep it up, kid!

Make sure to follow me on Twitter: @NormBatez and also hit up my Instagram: @normangalang